Cryptic Masons Medical Research

The General Grand Council established the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation to give Cryptic Masons an opportunity to turn Masonic philosophy into a living practice. Currently, the Foundation is working with medical researchers to find agents to prevent atherosclerosis or more commonly known as hardening of the arteries. This work places thousands of dollars annually into the needed research to stop our nation’s largest killer, atherosclerosis and heart disease.

The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, (CMMRF), was incorporated in the state of Oklahoma, March 6, 1986. The driving force behind the new corporation was General Grand Master Ben Mandlebaum, of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International. Past Most Illustrious Grand Master, Marion K. Crum was named the first Executive Secretary of the Foundation. He faithfully served in that position for twenty-seven years, retiring in October 2012. The Foundation funds research at ICVBM, which is located at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Because blood vessels are important in maintaining the health or repairing almost all tissues, practically all diseases turn out to have a vascular component connected to their origin or remediation. Diabetes, stroke, poor circulation, wound healing, and many other diseases share the common denominator of blood vessels. Centering our contributions to an organization that addresses so many different health concerns, both nationally and internationally, allows our supporters to share in the medical advancements, regardless of geography.

During the 2001-2002 term our research laboratory became a center of vascular biology and medicine expanding its scope outward from a primary focus on atherosclerosis. After three-years of searching, Dr. Keith March was selected to chair the newly formed Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine, (ICVBM).

CMMRF has grown exponentially over the years. Prior to restructuring the foundation in 1986, the former foundation had given $96,000.00 to the Medical Center for research. During the past calendar year, CMMRF contributed more than $191,500 to ICVBM; cumulatively, CMMRF has contributed more than $4,495,464.86. We think this is an excellent record and we take great pride in it.

We optimistically anticipate that our commitment to support this discovery research conducted at ICVBM will translate into cures and treatments for almost all diseases! We urge you to consider partnering with the CMMRF mission to save lives and improve the quality of life.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the Foundation. We could not achieve our goals without your help.